The Dirty Truckers

The Dirty Truckers` Washed & Ready picks up right where its predecessor, Bush League Romance, left off - although singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Baker is the only remaining member. The new DTs are bassist Jamie Griffith, drummer Dave Foy and guitarist/vocalist Tad Overbaugh, of Kickbacks fame. When playing live the band includes guitarist John Brookhouse and drummer Brian McElroy. But live or on record these guys are still pumping out high-powered, low-flying rock `n` roll of the swaggering, twang-punk variety. The fact that Washed & Ready was tracked in a matter of days - co-produced by Baker and Ed Valauskas - only adds to the urgency of the affair. Guests on hand include Rich Gilbert (Frank Black & The Catholics) on pedal-steel guitar, and Jed Parish (The Gravel Pit), who blows a hot harp solo on one of the two cover tunes, Nick Lowe`s "Raging Eyes". The other cover is mined from their neck of the woods, "Help You Ann", by the long-running Bostonian garage-rock band The Lyres. Overlooking a well matched Replacements` cover this time `round, they`ve opted to make a catchy, energetic record that, like any good `Mats disc, is meant to be played - and sounds great - loud. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (Diorama Records)
- Miles of Music

THE DIRTY TRUCKERS
Diorama Records
Washed And Ready
10 songs
I love The Dirty Truckers live so I was thrilled to be able to review this CD. The Dirty Truckers are a roots-rock four-piece with Telecaster twang and a driving rhythm section. The vocals and overall sound evoke Steve Earle And The Dukes. This disc starts off rocking with “All She Ever Wanted” and “Off the Hook.” The production is flawless. The drums are awesome, the bass is punchy and is right where it needs to be in the mix, and the clarity and contrast between the bright Fender guitar and the warm Gibson is superb. I had a hard time defining Tom Baker’s vocals; they’re kind of thin in a rockabilly sort of way—but I mean this as a good thing. I also love the tracks “Not Missing a Thing” and “Heavy Metal Weekend.” Their sing-along choruses make great beer drinking songs. “Star in My Dreams” is another great song with a very tasteful steel guitar solo by Rich Gilbert. (John Hess)

- Noise Boston Ma

Different bands have different characteristics that set them apart from the pack. For many it’s the front person, an individual with a unique or somehow memorable personality. For some it’s instrumental or vocal virtuosity. And for some it’s songwriting. Dirty Truckers fall into this last category (although the addition of John Brookhouse on lead guitar will qualify them for the second category as well, if they ever release any recordings that include him – at least they let him do the art work for the cover of this one). In the event that you don’t already know, Tom Baker is a seriously good song writer. For real. Think Paul Westerberg’s lyrics with Tom Petty’s melodies. And the band, even pre-Brookhouse, is hot and grungy in a classic Boston-rock sort of way with an occasional alt-country flourish for good measure. Replacements comparisons are inevitable, but I gotta say I think I like this record more than any full-length from the ‘Mats. It’s got variety, intelligent lyrics about real situations, a sense of humor, a mature but still fresh outlook on life, and a true understanding of pain and anguish that pervades this life we all lead. I get dozens of CDs, hundreds maybe, every year. I only end up keeping ten or twelve. I'm keeping this one. - www.bmosworld.net